St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day. Here in Savannah, this is as my co-worker put it "The second most important holiday to Christmas." I differ in opinion with him on this matter since what it has evolved to be about is a parade, getting drunk and partying. But since it's such a big deal here, I decided to look up who this holiday is really all about: St. Patrick.

He was a missionary to Ireland in the 4th Century, after being held prisoner there for most of his teenaged years. He escaped prison and returned to his family in England. Then felt called to go back to Ireland as a missionary. He studied for many years and became a priest. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.

Here are some of the words of a prayer/hymn attributed to St. Patrick:

...I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude....

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.